Verizon Business, Nokia, and Thames Freeport have announced a strategic partnership to deploy Verizon Private 5G Networks across multiple logistics, manufacturing, and innovation hubs along the River Thames Estuary.
The rollout marks one of the largest private 5G deployments in a European port and will serve as the backbone for a multi-year, multi-billion-pound transformation aimed at revitalising the region’s maritime economy.
The initiative targets key Freeport sites, including:
- DP World London Gateway and Logistics Park (the UK’s largest integrated deep-sea container port)
- Port of Tilbury (a major mixed-use hub operated by Forth Ports)
- Ford Dagenham (the largest manufacturing site in London)
READ: Verizon Business, Port of Virginia to launch private 5G network
Powered by Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) and MX Industrial Edge (MXIE) platforms, the networks will enable advanced capabilities such as AI analytics, predictive maintenance, autonomous vehicle operations, and real-time logistics orchestration.
David de Lancellotti, VP of Enterprise Campus Edge Sales at Nokia, said: “This is one of the largest commercial private 5G rollouts in a European port. Together with Verizon Business, we’re enabling the infrastructure that will help Thames Freeport drive new efficiencies, sustainable growth, and long-term economic opportunity for the region.”
READ: UK Power Networks promotes clean energy on River Thames
Martin Whiteley, CEO of Thames Freeport, stated: “A flexible, high-performance connectivity platform is critical to our long-term vision. Our investment in private 5G is not an incremental network upgrade — it’s the backbone of a technological transformation.”
Jennifer Artley, SVP of 5G Acceleration at Verizon Business, added: “We’re not just driving operational improvements to help a partner stay ahead of the curve; we’re laying the groundwork for new revenue streams, community development, and further commercial and technological investment.”
